POLES FROM THE SOUTH OF BUCOVINA
1. Settlement, demographic situation and organization in the territory
The first Polish communities in Romania appeared after 1795 when, with the disintegration of the independent Polish state, compact groups of Poles settled mainly in Bucovina and, secondarily, in Bessarabia, Moldova and Muntenia.
The Austrian imperial authorities colonized in Bucovina mining specialists from Bochnia and Wielicza, in order to capitalize on the salt deposit from Cacica (1790-1791). Later, wood and glass craftsmen, railway workers, officials, teachers and servants of the Church, especially from the Bochnia and Kalusza regions, were brought in.
Another group of Poles settled in Bucovina consisted of Gorałi (Muntenians) from Czadca (now Slovakia), settled in Soloneţu Nou, Poiana Micului, Pleşa (Suceava County), Laurenca, Davideni-Zrąb, Dunawiec (Chernivtsi region, Ukraine). The Poles from the Kisuca river valley settled in Panca, Pătrăuţii de Jos (the area called Arşiţa), Păltinoasa.
Currently, ethnic Poles from Bucovina live compactly in the localities of Cacica, Soloneţu Nou, Poiana Micului, Pleşa, Bulai (Moara), Ruda (Vicşani), Păltinoasa – Suceava County – Tereblecea, Davideni-Zrąb, Huta-Veche, Pătrăuţii de Jos, Crăsnişoara Veche (Chernivtsi region, Ukraine).
According to the results of the 2011 Population and Housing Census, Stable population by ethnicity, the share of ethnic Poles in Suceava County was about 0.30% (1922 ethnic Poles, with a stable population of 634,810 inhabitants).
The central organization of Poles in Romania, the Union of Poles in Romania (UPR), consists of 14 associations, located in 11 localities Suceava (Suceava (headquarters), Solonețu Nou, Poiana Micului, Cacica, Siret, Rădăuți, Moara, Păltinoasa, Vicșani, Pleșa, Gura Humorului and 3 extra-Suceava localities: Bucharest, Iași, Constanța.
2. Customs (traditions)
The communities of Bukovinian Poles in the 21st century retain two types of customs (traditions): religious and secular.
Among the religious traditions, the most important are those related to Easter traditions, the pilgrimage to the Cacica of St. Mary the Great (August 15), the “feast of fruits” (Dożynki) and Christmas traditions.
Within the secular traditions we have the following: Constitution Day (May 3), poetry festivals dedicated to the poets Adam Bernard Mickiewicz (1798-1855) and Maria Konopnicka (1842-1910), the international folk festival “Bukowińskie spotkania”, Culture Days Poles in Romania and Independence Day (November 11).
2. Religious customs (traditions)
2.1. Easter traditions
a. Manifestations related to these traditions are usually opened in February by the Meeting of the “Left of the Century” (zapusty), before Lent (Wielki Post), organized at the headquarters of each branch of the Union of Poles in Romania, with mandatory participation of a prelate. Sometimes, in the official texts of the Union of Poles in Romania, the phrase “the banquet of the century” (zapustnej biesiadzie) appears.
b. In Soloneţu Nou, for example, the cycle of Easter customs is opened by Flower Sunday, also called Green Sunday. In Catholic churches, willow branches (the symbol of resurrection and life) are consecrated, which women hang on the walls of houses and other household buildings to protect them – according to Polish tradition – from spells, diseases, fires, storms or anything. another danger. After they are burned, their ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday (the date of the beginning of the next Easter fast) by the priest, who will mark the believers on his forehead with the sign of the cross. This ash is also used to “cure” cows in the spring, when they are grazed, to protect them from disease.
On Holy Thursday, after the last afternoon service, the church bells are rung in mourning, their sound being replaced until the night of the Resurrection by the beating of pieces of wood called kołatki. Good Friday is the day of absolute mourning, the day when the tomb of the beautifully adorned Lord is unveiled in the side aisles of the sanctuaries, guarded by young Poles dressed in military uniforms called boys. Obviously, this type of clothing symbolizes / recreates the uniforms of the Roman soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
On Holy Saturday, food baskets are consecrated. In the basket put Easter, salt, boiled eggs, painted eggs, ham, horseradish, a crumb of dough or butter and sweets. The egg represents the symbol of a new life, of the hopes and forces that animate nature, horseradish and salt embody the symbols of the torments of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross, and the butter reminds us of the change of sin in faith and sadness in joy. Food will be eaten on Easter Sunday, after returning from the Holy Liturgy of the Resurrection. According to Polish tradition, the householder is not allowed to sleep on this day, so as not to rot his hay in the furrow.
The second day of Easter is called “wet Monday”. The custom is that, by noon, the Poles from Solonețu Nou will sprinkle each other with water to call for abundance.
c. Święcone is also part of the Easter traditions – the division with the consecrated egg, organized in private, in Polish households, but also in public. In this situation, święcone is organized in Suceava by UPR, with the participation of the management of this organization, together with representatives of county and local authorities, the County School Inspectorate, the leaders of organizations of other ethnic communities in Suceava County.
2.2. The pilgrimage from Cacica
It has been performed since 1905, on August 15, at the Minor Basilica of Cacica. The church was built between 1903 and 1904 in neo-Gothic style in carved stone and pressed brick (from the outside, it seems to be built only of red brick), according to the project made by the architect Teodor Marian Talowski, professor at the Lemberg Polytechnic (formerly Lwów). , today Lviv, Ukraine).
An additional element of attraction for tourists is the replica of the famous cave in Lourdes (France), completed in 1936 in neo-Gothic style, adorned with a new altar in 2010.
The church is intensely visited by tourists during the pilgrimages made on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics everywhere (mostly Poles). On the occasion of this pilgrimage, they are visited by pilgrims arriving from Poland and the Polish communities from Solonețu Nou, Poiana Micului, Bulai (Moara commune) and Pleşa.
Other religious manifestations of the Bukovinian Poles are linked to the Minor Basilica of Cacica and its relations with the Vatican.
Thus, on May 17, 2009, the statue of Pope John Paul II was unveiled and consecrated, located in front of the cathedral dedicated to St. John Nepomuk of Suceava.
On August 15, 2010, the festive inauguration of the square and the monument of John Paul II took place in Cacica. MP Henryk Siedlaczek, MEP Bogdan Marcinkiewiecz, the UPR leadership and the authors of the monument, executed in Poland and donated to the church by the Rybnik district, were present during the festivities at the Minor Basilica.
2.3. Dożynki (Harvest / Fruit Festival)
For over 10 years it has been organized, as a rule, in Solonețu Nou in September, on the last day of the events of the “Days of Polish Culture in Romania. It is based on a 14th-century Polish religious tradition of giving thanks to God for fruit. Mainly, this holiday consists in the display of fruits characteristic of each village in Suceava County inhabited by Polish ethnics and choreographic-folk performances. The UPR leadership and diplomats from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Bucharest participate as guests of honor.
2.4. Christmas traditions
The Feast of the Nativity begins for Poles in southern Bucovina on the morning of December 24. Then the boys (who are usually up to 16 years old) walk “with the tree”. They go to the houses and say a poem about the birth of the Baby Jesus, wishing the householders well. The landlord finally says, “Yes, Lord!” and honors children with money (in the past apples, nuts, rolls were given).
In the afternoon of December 24, the carolers are waiting and the festive Christmas meal is being prepared. Hay is lying under the tablecloth, reminding us of the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
The fasting dishes are placed on the table: boiled wheat, dumplings, fish, mushrooms, meatless sarmale, and the number of dishes must be odd.
When the first stars appear in the sky, the festively dressed Polish family gathers at the table. The father or mother begins Wigilia (from Lat. Vigilia = watch, guard) with the sign of the cross and the family members say: “Our Father”, “Rejoice Mary” and “Glory to the Father”. Then, before the meal, follows a unique ritual: division with opłatek (word derived from lat. Oblatum = sacred gift).
This religious custom specific only to Poles dates back to the 15th century. It takes place before the start of the Eve Supper (December 24) and symbolizes reconciliation, forgiveness, willingness to share bread (ostia, opłatek) with others.
At midnight all Poles go to church and attend the service in remembrance of the first homage paid by the poor shepherds of Bethlehem to the newborn Savior.
On the eve or on Christmas days there is a custom specific only to Poles: the Festival “At the manger” (Jasełka)
The expression “Jasełka” comes from the old Polish word “jasło” = stable) – a show that allegorically presents the birth of Jesus, organized for the first time in Poland at the end of the century. XIII.
At this traditional cultural event of the Bukovinian Poles, held at all UPR headquarters in Suceava County, are presented scenes related to the celebration of Christmas, presented by preschool and school children from the General Schools from the Polish communities from Poiana Micului, Cacica, Moara, Solonețu Nou, Pleşa and from the “Alexandru cel Bun” High School from Gura Humorului, where Polish is taught as a mother tongue.
3. Secular traditions
3.1. Constitution Day (May 3)
It was a national holiday of Poland in the interwar period and became a national holiday in this state since 1991. The “Government Law” or Constitution was adopted during the reign of King Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland (1764-1795), on May 3, 1791, considered by specialists the oldest modern type constitution of Europe.
On this occasion, the UPR branches in Romania talk about the significance of the event of May 3, 1791, Polish patriotic poems and songs are recited, traditional Polish dances are staged, fine art exhibitions, etc. are opened.
In the last decade, Bukovinian Poles also celebrate on May 3 the “Queen of the Polish Crown” (= Holy Virgin Mary), named after King Jan Kazimierz in 1656, a phrase (and holiday) taken over by the Polish authorities in the 21st century, imposed more in the public consciousness post 2010.
3.2. Kresy Poetry Festival
The word Kresy (borders) refers mainly to the eastern territories of interwar Poland (1919-1939), annexed after 1945 by the USSR. They were part of the old Noble Republic or the Polish-Lithuanian Union until the end of the 18th century. This annual festival, started in 1992, is dedicated to the poet Adam Bernard Mickiewicz, the legendary fighter with the weapon of writing and eloquence for the liberation of his homeland. The first stage, national, takes place in May-June, in Suceava. Here are selected the reciters of Mickiewicz’s poems, who will represent the Polish diaspora in Romania at the international recitation contest of the Polish diaspora, held in December in Białystok, Poland.
3.3. Maria Konopnicka Poetry Festival
International poetry festival for the Polish diaspora, initiated in 2000. The first stage, national, takes place in Suceava in the first part of the year, usually in May. Here are selected the reciters who will represent in Poland the Polish diaspora in Romania.
3.4. Bukowińskie spotkania International Folk Festival
Initiated by the Polish ethnographer from the House of Culture in Piła, Zbigniew Kowalski in 1990, reached in 2019 the XXX edition. The first nine editions of the festival took place in Jastrowie and other localities in Poland, but then it “internationalized”, reaching several annual stages of this festival, held in Poland, Ukraine, Romania (in Câmpulung Moldovenesc! ), Hungary and, sporadically, in Germany, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova. UPR was represented at this festival by the ensemble “Sołonczanka” from Solonețu Nou, initiated and led by Anna Zielonka and “Mała Pojana” from Poiana Micului, formed and led by Agnieszka Polaczek.
3.5. Polish Culture Days in Romania
Cultural-scientific event initiated in 1999, reached in 2019 at the XXXth edition. With few exceptions, this prestigious event takes place in September, when the following cultural-scientific events take place: international scientific symposium (mainly participants from Poland, Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova), book launches, show (with the participation of prestigious bands from Poland and Romania), film screenings, exhibitions, visiting historical and religious monuments.
3.6. The independence Day
On November 11, 1990, Poles in Bucharest celebrated for the first time after 1950 publicly, in Romania, Independence Day (Poland). The date was chosen by the Polish authorities for the fact that on November 11, 1918, General (then Marshal) Józef Piłsudski took power and became the Provisional Head (Tymczasowy Naczelnikie) of the Polish state.
After 1990, Independence Day is celebrated in all public communities in Romania through evocations of the event, patriotic poems and songs, musical-choreographic performances, etc. Diplomatic personnel from the Polish Embassy in Bucharest must participate in the events organized for this purpose by the UPR leadership.
4. Legends and stories
As is natural, the legends and stories of the Bukovinian Poles are the legends of the motherland, Poland. They are published in the monthly magazine Polonus (published in 1991) or in the monthly children’s magazine Mały Polonus (Little Polonus). The legends in question are presented to Polish children who learn Polish as a mother tongue at kindergartens in Moara Nică, Poiana Micului and Solonețu Nou, in secondary schools in Baineț, Cacica, Moara Nică, Păltinoasa, Pleşa, Poiana Micului, Siret, Soloneț New, in the special classes at Lațcu Vodă di high school n Siret, „Alexandru cel Bun” National College from Gura Humorului and „Petru Rareș” National College from Suceava.
Through the survey, we saw that the following legends and stories are the best known in the Suceava localities mentioned above.
4.1.The legend of the Wawel dragon
It happened a long, long time ago, when King Krak ruled in Krakow. At the foot of Wawel Hill, on which the royal castle stood, lived in a cave a dragon – a terrifying monster with flames in its mouth. He devoured sheep, rams, oxen, and cows, until one day he asked for Queen Wanda, Krak’s beautiful daughter, to be brought to him. Many brave knights tried to kill the dragon, but in vain. They all lost their lives.
The dragon was defeated by a clever shoemaker named Skuba. But not by force, but by cunning. In what way? He filled a ram’s fur with sulfur and tar, which he sewed and threw at the dragon’s lair. Immediately the hungry dragon ate the tasty ram, but at once he felt a fire in his belly. Sulfur and tar burned him, and to quench his burning thirst he ran to the waters of the Vistula. He drank without being able to stop … It grew thicker, until, at last, it cracked, with a loud noise, into thousands of pieces. Krakow was overjoyed. The king, queen and all the inhabitants escaped the terrible monster.
Every Polish child knows the legend of the Wawel dragon, King Krak and the skilful shoemaker Skuba. Fortunately, to this day only this story remains and the lair of the dragon in front of which tourists can contemplate the huge sculpture of the terrifying dragon with flames on its mouth.
4.2. Wars and Sawa
A long time ago, a young fisherman named Wars lived on the banks of the Vistula. One day, as he was going to the river to stretch out the nets, he heard a song:
“Seven waves guard me
and lightning seven
Who is not afraid of them
Here to show. “
The song was sung by a girl. And the voice was so beautiful, sweet, and harmonious that Wars did not hesitate for a moment:
“I’m not afraid of anything!” he shouted. He jumped into the boat and left. Just got away from the shore, because a terrible storm broke out.
“We’ll break your oars!” the lightning whistled.
“I’ll break your nets to pieces!” the wind howled.
“We’re going to sink your boat!” the waves were threatening.
But Wars floated so fast that neither the wind, nor the waves, nor the lightning could reach it.
When he reached the middle of the river, among the raging waves, he saw a strange figure – half fish and half girl. It was a mermaid. Wars wondered. He came closer. He held out his hand.
The mermaid handed him a shield and a sword. And suddenly … she turned into a beautiful girl.
“My name is Sawa,” she said. Now you will defend me, you will defend the river and the city.
Then it was like a fairy tale: the brave Wars and the beautiful Sawa lived happily ever after, and on the Vistula bank rose a city – Warsaw.
4.3. Beautiful Bałta
Deep in the woods, on the shores of a large and beautiful lake, Princess Bałta lived in a grand castle. Her father, Baltic, had died when she was little.
He had no brothers or sisters. Her mother and relatives caressed her. That is why he showed contempt for everyone and for everything. No one dared to oppose him. Only her old nurse often quarreled …
When Bałta turned 15, he started organizing parties. Knights came from the four corners of the world. Dar Bałta? He swayed them with vain promises, asked them for proof of love. and he asked each one if he had not seen “the endless water.” He commanded them to cross the country and look for the “great water.” But no one could find her. Many knights, for this reason, took their days.
“Bałta, my little girl, have mercy on these young knights.” Choose one and we will make you a wonderful wedding.
“I don’t want to be engaged or married.” I want to be free.
The unhappy knights were advised how to punish the princess. When she found out, she sent a servant to the witches on Mount Pleșuv. But he got lost and drowned in the swamp. The princess was furious:
“What a repulsive attitude!” Only forest and swamp! Without the big water.
At that moment, a tall woman with blond hair and an azure cloak appeared in front of her.
– I am the goddess of the Great Water and I will give you as much as you want. But you have to atone for your mistakes. You will become the Great Water. You will kneel and pray until the gods have mercy on you and take you to the holy forest.
In an instant the earth turned into the Great Water. In memory of the good Baltic king, people called it the Baltic. and thus the Baltic Sea was born, where Princess Bałta atoned for her sins.
Look at the map: he is on his knees facing east. The hands joined for prayer are the Gulf of Finland, the head and neck form the Gulf of Bothnia, the knees – the Bay of Gdansk, and the feet – the Skagerrak.
4.4. The Escape
A beautiful princess was enchanted in a palace on a mountain top, under the power a witch. It guarded her like the eyes in her head. The young prince, who was engaged to the princess, walked around the mountain in vain and looked at the window of the palace where his fiancée spent her time waiting. He did not seldom weep bitter tears. But a fortune teller, having pity on him, promised to get rid of the enchanted lady. Like a dove, he climbed on the window sills of the princess’s room and said:
– Here, you have a comb, a brush, an apple and a sheet. Leave the palace. If the witch will follow you, first throw the comb and then run as hard as you can. If you run away, throw the brush and then the apple. If he doesn’t stop chasing you then, throw away the sheet and you’ll reach your father’s palace.
The beautiful princess thanked the pigeon for everything. Not long after that, on the first Thursday after the new moon, riding on the shovel and shouting, “You know you don’t know, damn it!” the witch went to Mount Pleșuv. Then, at dawn, the princess ran away from the palace. She runs with all her might, panting, but when she looks back, she sees with horror that the witch, who was guarding her fiercely, comes on horseback on a strong rooster and is ready to reach her.
Then she threw the comb behind her, and as soon as she looked, the comb had turned into a river a mile long and a mile wide, and then a great river flowed from it. The rising sun began to illuminate the blue water. Herds of geese and wild ducks splashed on her, and the swallows in rapid flight beat her with their black wings. The witch, stopped at once by the stormy flow of water, watched with a frothy heart, as on the other bank the beautiful princess went on freely, with hurried steps. But he rode on the rooster, threw himself into the water, passed it quickly and ran after him again.
The princess turned yellow with fear, but she threw back the brush, looked, and saw every hair turn into a tree. Thus a huge, dark, thick and impenetrable forest appeared! Herds of wolves howled in him, and the witch, stopped on the way, had to slip through the thickets and wagons for a whole day.
Tired, however, the princess could not run as fast as at first. The witch, who had penetrated the forest, could reach her immediately. The poor princess, barely dragging her feet, threw the apple. He looked back and saw that the apple had turned into a high and precipice mountain. The witch’s froth of rage and wickedness, however, climbed up after a whole day of toil, and from the highest peak she saw how with weary pace, dead almost from fear and fatigue, the young princess could hardly get away.
Then the witch rode quickly on the rooster, flew from above, and was about to grab the unfortunate girl by the lap of her coat. But the princess threw away the sheet and, looking back, saw the wide canvas turn into an endless sea. The wind blew high waves. Floating on the huge cock, a little tired, the witch looked from afar a snow Trojan, swirled by the white foam of the troubled waves of the sea.
Happy, the princess arrived at her father’s palace. The fiancé was also waiting for her there. The old king immediately arranged the feast and the wedding. The whole palace shone with light, while the almost fainted witch, riding the weak cock of power, carried by the waves, looked at the glittering palace, listening to the fiddlers’ songs and the groans of the bride and groom. He mumbled curses until he perished in terrible torment.
